CLINTON COUNTY (WWJ) - The search for a missing 2-year-old boy with special needs who walked away from his Mid-Michigan home on Monday came to a sad end Tuesday afternoon.
Officials with the Clinton County Sheriff's Office announced late Tuesday afternoon the boy's body was found in the Looking Glass River around 4 p.m.
The sheriff's office said the 2-year-old boy, identified in reports out of Lansing as Jermaine Jones, was reported missing around 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9, from his home on S. Bauer Road, just north of Clark Road in Watertown Township, just northwest of Lansing.
Officials say he left the house while his babysitter was in the shower. She told investigators she was in the shower for about 10 minutes, according to WILX.
No Amber Alert was issued for the boy, as no foul play was suspected in his disappearance.
Over 500 community members showed up Tuesday morning to help in the search effort, according to Clinton County Sheriff Sean Dush. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including multiple dive teams, joined in the search.
"I ask that everybody think about the family, pray for the family for those who pray," Dush said during a 5:30 p.m. press conference. "I want to thank everybody who's helped us and everybody else that's been involved in this search."
"We're so fortunate in this county that people come together to help each other, and that's the way it should be," he said.
The sheriff's office had been asking people to check trees and higher up places, like sheds, because the boy likes to climb.
Help came flooding in from hundreds of civilian volunteers who showed up to help with search efforts. Authorities said they had to stop requesting volunteers and continued efforts after dark with other resources.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest details as they become available. >>> LISTEN LIVE!